Destination: Icehotel
Jennifer Lawson
08-Jan-06
Care to spend this holiday season, enjoying a truly luxurious experience of snow-filled adventure and fun? Then kindly pack your bags and set your next destination for the Icehotel, a delightfully unconventional winter resort tucked away in the Lapland pine forests of Sweden.
Located 200 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle, in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden, this unique hotel brings in a team of world renowned artists, architects and ice sculptors to create luxury suites, {sheer masterpieces} crafted entirely out of snow and ice. Icehotel has been achieving this remarkable feat for the past seventeen years, sourcing their supply of clear, glossy ice from the frozen pure waters of its local River Torne.
After you get picked up from the airport, via a team of lively friendly huskies handled by a competent driver in a swift dogsled, you enter the well-lit main reception area of the Icehotel, to be surprisingly greeted by a rush of warm air.
Despite the chilly temperature outside, the temperature inside the hotel is never below -5 °C to -8 °C. Although considering the time you arrive there, it might be night fall. A good time to snuggle up in that thermal sleeping bag lying atop the soft mattress, cushioned by inviting layers of thick soft reindeer skins that bedeck your bed “fit for a king”, on a block of snow and ice. In this deluxe suite package, you have the pleasure of staying in a luxury suite elegantly decorated by your private art installation of luminous ice sculptures and artwork. Happy, warm, and soothed by the evanescent glow oflight from within your chamber’s snug yet spacious ice-walls, you nod off to sleep, dreaming of the next day’s adventure.
After your relaxing morning sauna and a warm sip of the Swedish delicacy lignonberry juice, its time to start your morning adventures. Of course best to sample the appetizing breakfast buffet laid out before you, and then off to the races. And I do mean races, how about starting your day with a satisfying adrenaline peaking car rally-race on ice? Yes, ice! The Saab Ice Driving event, offered only by the Icehotel, puts you behind the wheel of a Saab 9-3 Sport Combi, testing yourself and its limits on a professional race/testing ice track. Of course, you get to try it out first under the supervision of a skilled ice-race instructor. Once you got that out the way, you can proceed to race one on one with your instructor and see who really knows how to handle the tricky curves and slick ice surface of the track. After you graciously accept your trophy for “Saab Icedriver of the day” its time to go in search of moose, on your very own moose safari. Hop on the nearest snowmobile, pausing to breath in the frosty air and take in the majestic wonderland of pristine nature around you, and go a-moose watching.
If you prefer a more laidback approach to enjoying the scenery, then try the native Saami Raidu: an experience in which you get taken on a reindeer sleigh ride by your own Saami guide to a traditional Saami homestead/village. There you be will be served Saami dishes over a campfire in a kåta, a Saami tent made out of birch poles and reindeer fur. You might even get a chance to drive the team of reindeers yourself.
How many other ways could you spend this day, let me count the ways: cross country skiing, ice fishing for trout, grayling and char, ice sculpting, snowshoeing and hiking up the mountain Puimonen, dogsled driving, exploring the Arctic landscapes and trails, catching a concert, watching a film at the Ice Arena, or soaking in the restful silence of Lappeasuando, the wilderness camp set in the breathtaking Kaitum nature reserve.
Tired after a rather eventful day, you look up at brilliant starry winter sky and the ethereal Northern Lights, content to spend the night recounting the fun you had. If you aren’t too tired, then its time to wander over to the stylishly chilly Absolut Icebar to share stories and mingle with the other guests. As the bartender pours you an ice shot glass of vodka, you chuckle to yourself, you have to admit this was some adventure.
Just how big is this ice playground, you wonder? The Icehotel spans over 4 000 m2 and consists of roughly 85 rooms of ice. It is made up of deluxe suites, the Absolut Icebar, double rooms, the Ice church as well as family rooms. They even have igloo rooms. Do dress warmly for the weather although the hotel does provide its guests the warm winter outer clothes such as hats, mittens, winter boots and snow mobile overalls. Alas although no toothbrushes, so bring your own.
For the dining out experience, the hotel has two restaurants capable of tempting even the most jaded palate. The Icehotel Restaurant and the Homestead Restaurant offer rather different dining experiences ambience wise. The Icehotel Restaurant has a spacious modern yet classic decor whereas the Homestead Restaurant is fashioned out of timber and brick, giving it a more rustic feel. Yet both deliver exquisite meals of freshly caught grouse, char, smoked salmon, even reindeer and elk served on {optional} ice plates of the Torne river water. If you would prefer to rough out, you also have the option of having dinner out in the wild, over a crackling campfire.
If the Icehotel’s “ice-cool “accommodation is too “chilly” for you, rest assured the hotel does provide “warm accommodation” in the chic Scandinavian décor of the Kaamos hotel rooms and the Northern Lights Bungalow.
Currently the Icehotel is open during the winter season from December, 8th 2006 to April 30th, 2007. It is also open during the summer season from June 15th 2007 to September, 31th 2007. For those interested in holding business conferences/events, the Icehotel also offers tailor made packages to suit any occasion.
For booking a luxury suite, please call the Icehotel reservations department at +46 (0) 980 66800 or e-mail info@Icehotel.com
Note: Icehotel accepts reservations all year round for their winter season which begins in mid December.
For further information on location, winter activities and pricing, please visit the Icehotel’s official website at: http://www.Icehotel.com Remember you can always come back for the summer, and spend some time basking in the warm midnight Nordic sun, trout fishing, attending the summer art exhibition at the Icehotel Art centre, mountain biking, river rafting, going on a native Saami cultural tour to the reindeer corral, trekking up mountains, and relaxing in a steamy sauna while breathing in the pure Lapland/Artic air. What better way to spend a winter or summer holiday?
Due to Icehotel’s immense popularity, I strongly advise booking in advance for this truly unforgettable Scandinavian winter experience.
